DAVIE MOYES was confirmed as Man United boss yesterday – but before the announcement one caller threw in a name that put a smile back on my face.

Sir Alex Ferguson’s shock resignation at Old Trafford was still the main talking point and gave us an excuse to start in the north of England.

The amount of tributes make you feel someone has died but one caller lifted the spirits of me and the nation.

Stevie Campbell, Tollcross, said: “I have nothing against Moyes but United should have given the job to Walter Smith. He brought stability to Rangers and Scotland and would smooth things over at United.

“People say Moyes is cut from the same cloth as Ferguson but so is Walter. I can’t believe nobody has mentioned this as he has been at Old Trafford and knows all about the club.”

Thankfully, Dunky Robertson, London, had his tongue firmly wedged in his cheek when he said: “I’m surprised they’ve gone for Davie Moyes and not Ally McCoist – he’s the real special one.”

Eddie Easson, Fife, said: “Celtic had better tie Neil Lennon up to a long-term contract. His phone will be ringing shortly.”

But Robert McEwan, Mount Vernon, said: “It’s really sad for football as Ferguson is up there with the greats like Shankly, Busby, Stein and Clough for his achievements at Manchester United and Aberdeen.”

Alan Lough, Dunbar, said: “What a great man and I have to say as a lifelong United fan his best signing ever was Eric Cantona.”

Not everyone was throwing kind words at the knight from Govan as James Kennedy, Galloway, said: “Keith Jackson hit the nail on the head.

“He’s a legend in terms of what he did for United but in terms of personality he isn’t a very nice bloke.”

“He has been in charge of amateur cracks Campsie Black Watch since 1953 and they won the Scottish Cup for a 10th time at the weekend. That is heroic.”

Some are not convinced Moyes is the man to take over from Ferguson but Tim Murphy, Bridge of Don, said: “This is a big, big job for the Everton manager but it would have been for anyone.

“He won’t stand any nonsense from anyone and he did well with no money so can you imagine what he will do with a little bit of cash in his pocket?”

The next big talking point on yesterday’s Hotline was the SFA’s decision to punish Dundee manager John Brown for his comments after Peter Pawlett’s blatant dive had sent them down to the First Division.

Jock Lindsay, Denniston, said: “They have punished Dundee but they should throw the book at Pawlett and the game should be played again as the club have suffered because of this.”

David Pearson, Glasgow, said: “People’s livelihoods are at stake but we all make mistakes and people are diving all over the place. All this reaction and talk is well over the top.”

Dons fan William Miller, Aberdeenshire, said: “We are owed another bad decision because we’ve had nothing all season.

“This was well over the top. It was a dive but these decisions even themselves out over the season.”

But Bill Lawrie, Saltcoats, didn’t mince his words as he said: “Bomber Brown is full of it, claiming he was going to quit Dundee if he got punished.”